Commissioners discuss turnoffs on highway 63 again 

This is one of the turnoffs, Davis Chapel, commissioners are getting complaints about.

By Charlotte Underwood 

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – The “danger” of several turnoffs on Highway 63 was once again discussed at Monday’s commission workshop.

The majority of commissioners said they were still receiving calls about the issues on the highway, especially the Davis Chapel turnoff and the one up by Big O’s and on up by the old Frontier store.

“It’s a sad day that TDOT doesn’t care about the safety of our citizens driving up the valley,” Commission Zachary Marlow said.

At last month’s meeting after Commissioner Beverly Hall had brought the issue up, commissioners had passed a resolution asking the Tennessee Department of Transportation to “investigate” multiple turnoffs on the highway, citing they turn too sharply and are dangerous.

At Monday’s workshop, Commissioner Rusty Orick suggested going through the legislative route and “having a sit down with Senator Ken Yager about the dangers of the road.”

Other commissioners said they agreed and that they would all attend the meeting if one could be set up with the senator.

“When we have this meeting, we need to request the engineering layout of those two turnoffs as well,” Orick said.

“I’ve had 32 people total call me. I’m passionate to get the roads fixed, people are going to get in a wreck.  I will drive to Nashville if I have to,” Commissioner Scott Kitts said.

“I’m still getting a lot of calls too. If we can get that meeting set up, I will be there. That’s our tax dollars at work, and it doesn’t take anybody with any kind of sense to understand that at those turnoffs, there’s more gravel on them now than there was when it was a gravel road,” said Commissioner David Adkins. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 04/10/2024-6AM)